Loophole closed to allow CCTV camera use

By state political reporter Sarah Gerathy
Tue 7 May 2013, 5:44 PM AEST

The New South Wales Government is introducing exemptions to privacy laws to ensure that local councils can continue to use CCTV cameras in public places.

The move has been made after Shoalhaven Council was forced to turn off its security cameras last week, because the Administrative Decisions Tribunal ruled they had breached the privacy of resident Adam Bonner.

The Premier Barry O'Farrell told parliament the cameras play a vital role in solving crimes and keeping communities safe, and a regulation has been drawn up to ensure all councils can keep using them.

"Madam speaker we understand that privacy considerations are important, but public safety has to be paramount," he said.

"Today the Attorney General has provided me with his advice. It's that the decision of Friday has exposed a loophole in the state's privacy legislation. But I can announce that today that loophole will be fixed."

The Premier has branded the Tribunal's decision as ridiculous.

"It was a decision that concerns me, because it struck me that a tribunal was trying to make policy," he said.

"This is the place that will make policy Madam Speaker."

Mr O'Farrell says the regulation should enable Shoalhaven council to turn its cameras back on by the end of next week.